Korean Job Discussion Forums

justincan · Joined: 19 Jul 2006

I signed a contract with a school in S. Korea. However, the day after I sent everything off, I was looking at the contract again and noticed something...

concerning my work schedule it simply states, "classes and teaching hours are scheduled at the institutes sole discretion."

Im not sure how I missed this, but I did and now Im a little worried. My hours were supposed to be something like 230-830 M-F. I dont really care what my hours are as long as I dont work a split shift.

I have been reassured by my recruiter that I wont have to work any split shifts (which is my only real concern). Can I believe this? How common are split shifts?

The recruiter also said that I may have to change my hours around slightly when the kids get a break from school during the summer and winter... is this correct? what kind of hours would I work?

Thanks.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

during intensives they usually expect you to work from 9-6 or 7 for no extra pay....as they are pulling it in by the bucketful!

Missile Command Kid · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

That exact phrase was on my contract as well, until I asked them to change it to the hours agreed to in the interview. They were more than happy to do so.

justincan · Joined: 19 Jul 2006

I wish I had done that... but I didn't relize until I had already sent my stuff to Korea.

how common are split shifts? and can I trust my recruiter if she says I wont have to work any?

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Split shifts arent common outside adult-only schools. I wouldnt sweat it.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Yea dont worry too much. Split shifts are for adults. The schedule does change sometimes especially over summer and winter vacations. The kids dont go to school during the day, so some schools will change to morning classes. Our school offered extra classes during this period too, so I was working between 6 and 9 classes a day, though I was getting extra pay for every one of those even if they were still within my contracted hours. Depends on the school.

justincan · Joined: 19 Jul 2006

Thanks for the responses.

I dont mind working some OT, or switching my hours. I just dont like the idea of a 4-5 hour break in the middle of my day.

Sounds like things should work out fine.

ontheway · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 5:38 am Post subject:

justincan,

You should try to talk to some other teacher(s) who are working or have worked at your school. Ask a lot of questions.

Schools need to be able to adjust schedules to accomodate their students schedules. This is reasonable.

As an example: Korea is currently changing to the "5 day week". They are abaondoning their long held tradition of working and going to school from Monday through Saturday. They are doing this by government fiat and not by any natural process of social adjustment or change. As a result, many government schools are gradually lengthening their school day to make up for the hours lost by gradually reducing the number of Saturdays that kids attend school. Students get out of school later, so they start their after school study programs later. The hogwan classes in turn have to begin and end later.

And yes, many schools ask you to work extra hours during winter and summer school "vacation" times. Depending on your contract, this overtime could (and should) be voluntary. In some cases, some overtime is "mandatory" although the teacher has already voluntarily agreed to it by signing the contract. At any rate, this overtime should be all paid at the overtime rate.

Good luck in Korea.